The Mailbox
The new address for 2023 is:
Hey Vernon
PO Box 727
Tamworth, NSW, 2340.
The original mailbox Vernon set up in 1972 is no longer available. So please if you stumble on the old PO Box number, don't write to it.
What kind of things can I send?
You can send letters asking to be connected to support, you can write with questions - those that are possible to answer and those that may have no answer! Send your stories and artwork, tales of your life experiences. Poetry and diary entries. Please ,if it's a crisis situation instead use resources such as QLife, ACON or Twenty10.
What happens to the mail?
If it's a letter requesting support those will be forwarded to organisations that can help. If a return address is included we can also send some resources back in the mail if this is requested, in plain packaging. If it's a request to connect to local social groups these will also be forwarded on where possible to identified groups to connect.
If you'd like to send stories, poetry or artwork, we would ideally love the chance to collate those and share them with the world, either on this website, or social media. If you don't want that to happen of course that's fine - please note on any creative work that it's not for sharing. We are always happy to take out identifying details.
Part of the fun of sending mail is of course getting a reply so if you have included a return address we would like to reply with something to everyone who writes. This may be a copy of something Vernon himself wrote, a historical image from Tamworth Queer History or an answer to any questions.
Who reads the mail?
Letters will be read by volunteers from the Hey Vernon project. They have no specific training so please if its an urgent crisis situation use the resources mentioned above. They will do their best to send copies of any mail to any organisations that think may also help with replies or to source some relevant information for a reply but the mailbox is not a substitute for therapy, counselling or mental health crisis lines. The mailbox is for sharing and connection and a starting point for those who may prefer it to phone or email.
Can I be anonymous?
Absolutely! If you did need a reply you will need to figure out how to share an address - email or postal that you can use anonymously.
I'm not in Tamworth, can I write?
Yes! Even if you aren't in Australia, the mailbox is open to all. Just please make sure you put the right postage on whatever you send to the box so it reaches us. We'd love to share stories and connections from all over the country and from around the world.
Why not just use email? Or the phone?
This project is really about honouring a part of Tamworth history. Vernon in his time didn't have the luxury of email as an option but we do. If you'd rather do that please head to the contact page. Vernon did try and offer his own phone number for support which was an incredibly brave thing. But in 2023 professional help lines have covered this. If you have history you'd like to speak rather than write there is even a fabulous line you can call - the Pride Line at the State Library NSW. Although if it's Tamworth related we really would like to hear it too!
What type of letters did Vernon receive in the 1970s?
Below is an extract from "Coming-Out" Volume 1 where Vernon has collated some letters and his replies. It's the only known record of his correspondence at the moment.
